In anticipation of a tough day out, the group of seven set a relaxed pace on the way out through the forest. A pair of gold vests were spotted ahead on the Littledean climb – surely we hadn’t caught the 08:00 departure! It transpired that we had not. A mechanical at Mallards Pike, problems finding the bridge in Redbrook, and navigational confusion around Penallt all conspired to produce a rather late arrival at coffee.
All tarmac routes between Monmouth and Kerne Bridge are hilly, and ours, through Llangarron, certainly fitted this description. Eventually Kerne Bridge was crossed, and we felt we were on home territory, although to avoid the aweful surface on Watery Lane, we took Warren Lane to the Penny Farthing. Whether it has a better surface is debatable, although both are better than Oaks Lane to Clifford’s Mesne.
A tiring but enjoyable day out. 72 miles, 5,200′ ascent @ 14.2mph